Is there anyway to locate the serial number of a gun issued to a ww2 vet? Trying to track down my grandfathers issued riffle. Stationed in Italy, us army howitzers 105

probably slim and none. even if they had some sort of record, where would it be located? and how many soldiers were issued rifles? a bunch! and even the one he was issued, might not be the same rifle that saw battle.

Doubt you'd be able to find it. Most WWII rifles were retired. Some were rebuilt several times before that. Many of those that got retired got lend leased to other countries such as Greece, Italy, Korea, many South American countries, etc. those that were returner and those that got retired here have been sold off. Others have gone to the civilian marksmanship program, and sold off. Then many of those owners may have traded and sold them, handed them down, parted them out, etc.

So, there may not be a reasonable way to locate it. If you know the Serial number, you may be able to find another manufacturer that could duplicate the serial. As long as it wasn't made previously by the same manufacturer, or they could add his initials to the serial to personalize it and avoid a duplication.

Ss I don't know anything to be honest with u. And he's been gone a few years so I can't ask him, that's why I was wondering if there was a way to find out the serial number of his issue. Then I could at least find out what he was issued

I doubt you could find out what serial he was issued. Once the military got rid of the guns they probably got rid if any logs associated with them. I have an old gear issue card from one if my deployments that has the serial numbers for the weapons I was issued. But if your grandfather didn't keep anything like that it would be highly unlikely you'd ever find out.

Most artillery personnel would have been issued M1 carbines late in the war. Some would have had M1 Garand rifles. Some guys traded guns around. My great uncle took a Garand up the beach in Normandy, but swapped to a Thompson when the hit the hedge row country. He was back to a Garand when they entered Germany. He was issued a rifle. He turned in a rifle.